Online Media English Libel Case Ends

David Osler, award-winning journalist and blogger, saw the libel case brought against him finally collapse Sept. 21 after political activist Johanna Kaschke failed in her bid to appeal against the decision of Mr. Justice Eady to throw her case out as an abuse of process. Robert Dougans in our London office represented Osler. This case has been reported online and in the print media, and provides valuable clarification to bloggers and the online media regarding the liability they face related to old postings still available in their archives. Earlier this year, Dougans also successfully represented science writer and broadcaster Simon Singh in the landmark libel case brought by the British Chiropractic Association, which has been one of the causes of a campaign to reform England’s libel laws. Dougans was named Assistant Solicitor of the Year 2010 at The Lawyer Awards and was named Lawyer of the Week in a recent issue of The Times newspaper.